Coke Oven Brook Water Treatment Plant and Groundwater Collection System

When did this tender close?

The tender closed on May 13, 2009. A letter of intent to award was sent to MB2/Beaver Marine Joint Venture on July 10, 2009.

What is the value of this contract?

The tender is valued at $15.2 million.

Why is this needed?

The project will remove contaminated sediment from Coke Ovens Brook, and contaminated soils from the Domtar Trench to allow for the collection and treatment of contaminated groundwater flowing under the Coke Ovens site. The water treatment plant is designed to treat contaminated groundwater collected from underground areas along Coke Ovens Brook and the Domtar part of the site. The treated water will be released into a channel that diverts clean water from streams and other surface waters around the contaminated Coke Ovens site. The realigned channel, which exists now, will eventually become part of the new channel to be constructed through the solidified and stabilized material.

When did construction begin?

Summer 2009

How long will the water treatment plant operate?

The project currently has funding for 25 years of operation.

What contaminants are found on the Coke Ovens site?

Contaminants include PAHs (Polycyclic Aromotic Hydrocarbons created by the burning of coal at the coking plant), TPH (Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons - a mixture of chemicals made from crude oil), BTEX (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylenes found in soils and groundwater contaminated by gasoline), metals (aluminum, zinc, arsenic, iron, copper and selenium).

How were the Coke Ovens created?

The contamination of Coke Ovens Brook and underground areas was the result of nearly 100 years of coke production on the Coke Ovens site. During the coke making process, byproducts were deposited into the stream and eventually made their way to the south Tar Pond. These materials include coal, coke, coal tar, and other hydrocarbons.

How will the water be treated?

The water Treatment process includes:

Spraying hydrogen peroxide to act on iron and manganese contaminants

Automatic removal of large materials

Oil water separator to remove oily materials before treatment

Storage tank under the floor of the water treatment plant building for water coming into the plant

System to remove smaller materials

Filter system to remove contaminants

Storage tanks for wash water from the operation of the plant

Pumping system for wash water and wastewater

Emergency overflow pipes

The plant can treat water flows up to 320 litres per minute through two systems that will each treat 160 litres per minute. When water flow is low, the systems will take turns operating.

Will there be any jobs created for the operation of the plant?

A plant operator will be hired to oversee the main control system and to ensure the treated water meets quality standards for a freshwater stream. Although no decision has been made, it will likely be an Agency employee.

Will the plantís operation be a separate contract?

No, it will be handled internally.

What environmental standards will be used?

The project uses CCME freshwater aquatic Life Guidelines. The treatment plant is designed to have the water accumulate, and the operator will batch test the water to ensure the treatment is operating effectively and to ensure it meets the guidelines for releasing the water into a brook.

Describe the treatment process?

There are a series of filters, active carbon filters and organo-clay filters that scrub out contaminants.

Where do the contaminants go after they are removed?

Free oil will be discharged into drums and handled as hazardous waste by an authorized contractor. Filters will also be disposed of as hazardous waste if metal or hydrocarbons are present. However, itís unlikely that the filters will need to be replaced during the life of the project.

What is the long-term monitoring plan for this project?

Before the project ends in 2014, both the provincial and federal governments will get together once again to finalize a long-term monitoring plan for the entire project, which includes the treatment facility.

How will the treated water be monitored?

Prior to the release of water, at least one sample is taken and analyzed against the operational criteria. Also, a bioassay for acute toxicity is performed before the water is released. If the water doesnít pass, itís returned for further treatment.

Where will the water go after treatment?

It will be released into Coke Ovens Brook.

How will fish be protected?

This is groundwater collection, so there will be no fish entering the water treatment plant. However, if there is any risk that they may enter, a fish screen will be placed at the entrance.

Why is the groundwater collection system no longer an aboriginal set-aside?

The compliant bid submitted surpassed the projectís budget, so it wasnít accepted. Since that time, the Agency combined the groundwater collection system and water treatment plant into a single contract. This will reduce schedule risks and reduce the cost of the project regarding project management and construction oversight.

What is the new aboriginal set-aside?

Although discussions are continuing, we are offering to divide the Coke Ovens capping project into two or more contracts. Itís a $12 million, long-term project that will likely be shared among aboriginal and non-aboriginal contractors.

Are aboriginal companies displeased?

You would have to ask aboriginal companies for their comment, but the project has a signed Aboriginal Procurement Strategy that has committed a portion of construction activities to First Nations communities. The value of that commitment remains at $19 million. We continue to work closely with aboriginal communities to ensure we meet that commitment.

Why did you join the contracts?

Our primary objective is to bring this project in on time, and on budget. Combining the contracts helps us to meet that objective.

Does this make it more difficult for contractors to bid on this project?

No. Actually, it makes it easier. Since there is only one contract, the schedule is streamlined and there are reduced costs for activities like mobilization.

When will this project be completed?

This project will be completed in spring, 2010.

When will the Coke Ovens cap project begin?

The tender is expected out in spring (April) 2009 (not sure if this still applies).

What is the value of the capping project?

The cost estimate is $9 to $12 million.

What will we see?

Soil will be removed to construct a groundwater collection system, which will be underground and looks like a pipe with small holes in it. The underground trench will have a collection system as well. The water collected will be gravity-fed to a pump, which will eventually move the water to the water treatment facility. The groundwater will continue to travel along its usual path to the Tar Ponds until the treatment facility is commissioned. There will be some manholes to allow for cleaning and inspection of the interceptor lines.

What is the reason for the groundwater collection system?

It prevents groundwater from moving upward or leaving the site.

How much soil/sediment will be removed?

Soil will be removed from Coke Ovens Brook and two old access roads: about 2,200 tandem truckloads of sediment. When the Domtar trench is constructed, there will be about 1,600 tandem truckloads of material. Weíre expecting about 1,300 truckloads of debris to come from the site. The debris will mostly be pipes, timbers, concrete footings and wires.

Other small parts of the project Include moving a portion of the old Frederick Street Brook to a new channel; demolition of an old culvert at Cagney Brook to stop it from moving into the Coke Ovens site.

What protective measures will be taken?

The projectís air monitoring program will be in effect during all construction activities. All vehicles will be cleaned at the decontamination pad at the Coke Ovens site. As well, an environmental protection plan is in place to reduce any effects the construction activities will have on the project. The project also has a Master Occupational Health and Safety Plan.

How was Coke Ovens Brook contaminated?

†During the coke making process, byproducts were deposited into the stream and eventually made their way to the south Tar Pond. These materials include coal, coke, coal tar, and other hydrocarbons.